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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited the Hong Kong Jockey Club Shenzhen Society for Rehabilitation Yee Hong Heights (Yee Hong Heights) in Yantian, Shenzhen, today (September 5) to see for himself the living conditions of elderly residents from Hong Kong under the Pilot Residential Care Services Scheme in Guangdong (Pilot Scheme) and the elderly care services provided by the home.
Upon his arrival, Mr Cheung was briefed by the Chairman of the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, Mr Benny Cheung, on the daily operation and services of Yee Hong Heights. Situated in Yantian, Shenzhen, the home is run by the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation and has been providing residential care services mainly to elderly persons from Hong Kong since 2006. Such services range from personal care and nursing to rehabilitation therapy and social/recreational activities. The home is currently accommodating about 130 elderly residents from Hong Kong.
Accompanied by the Superintendent of Yee Hong Heights, Ms Jackie Mo, Mr Cheung toured around to see the facilities at the home's rehabilitation unit and observe the games and activities specially designed for the treatment of dementia. He also chatted with the elderly residents and their families to learn in detail about their living condition, their needs arising from retiring on the Mainland and their views on the Pilot Scheme.
"The Government fully respects elderly persons' preference in the mode and location of retirement. The Pilot Scheme only provides an additional choice for Hong Kong senior citizens eligible for subvented long-term care services who wish to retire on the Mainland," Mr Cheung said.
The Social Welfare Department launched the Pilot Scheme in 2014/15 by purchasing residential care places at two elderly homes, one each in Yantian and Zhaoqing. It provides an option for elderly persons who are on the Central Waiting List for subsidised care and attention places to choose according to their preference. All accommodation fees under the Pilot Scheme are covered by government subsidy. Currently, 72 elderly persons under the Pilot Scheme are residing in the homes, of whom 59 live in Yee Hong Heights.
Among those joining Mr Cheung on his visit today were the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Miss Annie Tam, and the Assistant Director of Social Welfare (Elderly), Ms Pang Kit-ling.
Ends/Saturday, September 5, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:34
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